Michigan Football: 3 reasons D-Line is strength of Wolverines defense

Don Brown

Brown has been one of the best defensive coordinators in the country in his time at Michigan. Year in and year out, he gets the most out of his players and has a top tier defense. He loves to apply pressure to opposing offenses and make them uncomfortable.

His defenses are known for playing man to man. He is able to run man, almost exclusively, because the front seven are so successful at getting to the quarterback. When a quarterback only has two or three seconds to throw the ball, it makes things easier for the secondary.

The defensive has a lot of exotic blitzes and stunts that are run. Brown does a great job of disguising these looks which keeps the offense guessing. This gives the advantage to the defense.

Getting Paye and Hutchinson 1-on-1 matchups should be one of Brown’s top priorities this season. They will win those battles eight out of 10 times and be able to disrupt the quarterback. You can expect to see many more sack celebrations from the “Salt and Pepper” duo.

Don Brown having the ability to put the d-line in favorable positions has a trickle-down effect on the rest of the defense.

Apply pressure and good things will happen. “Make them feel you” as Brown likes to say.